STORY: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te oversaw coastal strike drills on Saturday (August 8) during annual Han Kuang war games, boarding a fast attack missile boat and watching the deployment of low-flying attack drones to simulate beating off a Chinese assault.

During the drills, military personnel simulated counter-offensive operations using M109 assault boats and various drones, including scout drones, medium one-way drones and offensive drones.

Lai boarded a Kuang-Hua VI-class missile boat at a navy base in the southern city of Kaohsiung, from where he broadcast a message to the sailors taking part.

"The purpose of the Han Kuang exercise is to use live troops, live terrain, and live equipment to test command coordination, combat responsiveness, and homeland defence capabilities. In the face of external threats and challenges, the government will continue to work to strengthen national defence capabilities, giving our military and Coast Guard colleagues the greatest support," he said.

Taiwan kicked off the Han Kuang exercises on Wednesday (August 5). Lasting 10 days, the drills focus on Taiwan's combat readiness against a potential invasion by China, which regards the democratically governed island as its own territory and has vowed to bring it under its control, by force if necessary. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN (AUGUST 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF SIMULATION OF M109 ASSAULT BOATS PERFORMING COUNTER OFFENSIVE MANOEUVRE

2. SIMULATION OF M109 ASSAULT BOAT RELEASING SCOUT DRONE

3. SCOUT DRONE

4. VARIOUS OF TAIWAN PRESIDENT LAI CHING-TE BEING BRIEFED WHILE OVERSEEING DRILLS

5. VARIOUS OF SIMULATION OF MEDIUM ONE-WAY DRONE PERFORMING COUNTER OFFENSIVE MANOEUVRE

6. VARIOUS OF SIMULATION OF OFFENSIVE DRONES PERFORMING COUNTER OFFENSIVE MANOEUVRES

7. KUANG-HUA VI-CLASS MISSILE BOATS DOCKED AT PIER

8. VARIOUS OF LAI BOARDING KUANG-HUA VI-CLASS MISSILE BOAT

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN (AUGUST 8, 2026)(TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE - Must on-screen courtesy "TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE")

9. (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) TAIWAN PRESIDENT, LAI CHING-TE, SAYING:

"The purpose of the Han Kuang exercise is to use live troops, live terrain, and live equipment to test command coordination, combat responsiveness, and homeland defence capabilities. In the face of external threats and challenges, the government will continue to work to strengthen national defence capabilities, giving our military and Coast Guard colleagues the greatest support."

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN (AUGUST 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

10. VARIOUS OF NAVY CREW PERFORMING DRILLS AND KUANG-HUA VI-CLASS MISSILE BOAT LEAVING PIER

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN (AUGUST 8, 2026)(TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE - Must on-screen courtesy "TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE")

11. (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) TAIWAN PRESIDENT, LAI CHING-TE, SAYING:

"I also hope that everyone will respond actively during the exercise and strengthen coordination and mutual understanding, so that you can respond to all kinds of situations and safeguard national sovereignty and the safety of the people with solid combat power."

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN (AUGUST 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. VARIOUS OF KUANG-HUA VI-CLASS MISSILE BOAT LEAVING PIER